Homebrew RetroArch Switch

[EmulateLife]

Just a brief question, love emulation, now I don't care much for Gamecube games so i'm thinking don't need Lakka, but I do want DS games and below running perfect, will retroarch fit that bill or do I need to get Lakka? Thanks so much

Right now the best DS emulator MelonDS is standalone and not in Retroarch (the one in Retroarch runs poorly) and no good Saturn core but soon. Everything else older than DS works pretty well.

 

[snoofly]

seriously, just get a n3ds and a gateway blue card for ds
no faffing around, perfect compatability
get the right machine for the need for perfect emulation i say
use a wiiu for every gamecube and wii
switch for everything else lower that can be emulated easily
really, why really need one console to do everything at once,just use what you need for the job required

 

[EmulateLife]

seriously, just get a n3ds and a gateway blue card for ds
no faffing around, perfect compatability
get the right machine for the need for perfect emulation i say
use a wiiu for every gamecube and wii
switch for everything else lower that can be emulated easily
really, why really need one console to do everything at once,just use what you need for the job required

While I have those things except for a gateway blue card, you're talking about over $100 for the n3ds used for someone that doesn't. Some people aren't really interested in them. I have one but hate how they feel to play games honestly so I hate playing on them.

I agree on the Wii U they're worth it injections rock and while Switch has a change at high quality DS emulation it has no chance at high quality Wii emulation.

 

[spotanjo3]

maybe update to latest atmosphere 0.94?

I did and I moved DC folder to retroarch/downloads and now I got a message:

"The software was closed because an error occurred."

 

[JustCause]

Anyone able to get the Light Gun (Touchscreen) working correctly with Lethal Enforcers and Genesis Plus GX? I got it working but every time I die I'm unable to "press start to continue". When I press start it just loads Player 2 instead.

 

[mikifantastik98]

a good and simple Cabinet overlay like this ??? ( .png without background wallpapers )

 

[robinpup]

i updated to 1.8.0 and now almost all my games get black screen with only sound, and flycast crashes to atmosphere error everytime, what im doing wrong?

 

[nWo]

I updated Retroarch and the texture packs don`t work anymore. Is this a bug or was there a change I didn`t heard? Thanks.

 

[spotanjo3]

I did and I moved DC folder to retroarch/downloads and now I got a message:

"The software was closed because an error occurred."

Hello ?? And I think I want to convert cdi to cdi but I cannot find the right information on google search.

 

[Zakie]

Official RetroArch Switch Thread

What is RetroArch?

RetroArch is a multi-system frontend which allows you to run many different emulators and other programs ("cores") through a unified interface. There are currently more than 50 different systems supported on the Switch by @m4xw (and many others), along with RetroArch features such as XMB and a whole new menu UI called Ozone by @natinusala . While far from complete, the Switch port is constantly growing as features and cores are added.

Quick Links

RetroArch source
Recent changes (Switch only)
Latest Switch builds

Disclaimers

Before beginning, please take the following into consideration before asking something:

1. Using an SD formatted as exFat is NOT officially supported.
   If you are using RetroArch on Switch, FAT32 is the recommended and only way supported officially by the team.
   Any questions related to exFat or file corruption might be ignored.
   
   
2. The RetroArch NSP, NSP forwarders of any kind, or launching HBL through the Album (or any) applet are NOT supported.
   Launching N64 through the album is also NOT supported, and will cause your switch to fatal.
   
   
3. The only supported method for launching RetroArch (used specifically for Mupen64/Flycast/PCSX Rearmed, or any JIT core or 3D core) is through title redirection:
   Use Atmosphere to access FULL RAM with homebrews WITHOUT NSP
   
   
4. If you want to play N64 games, the only recommended core to use is Mupen64 Plus Next, you can get it from the latest nightly releases or the 1.7.7 stable release. Same applies for PPSSPP, Flycast and PCSX Rearmed (and almost every other core).
   Also, you should never use any core in general without using title redirection mentioned in point #3 (unless you want to be able to play only NES or Atari games).

Basics

You'll need:

• If you are using a configuration from back when this was RetroNX, delete your retroarch.cfg inside the /retroarch/ folder!
  Always do this when you update your RetroArch cores/build
  
  
• An SD card formatted as FAT32
  
  
• Homebrew Launcher - NRO format launching it using the Atmosphere Title Redirection for Full RAM access:
  https://gbatemp.net/threads/use-atmosphere-to-access-full-ram-with-homebrews-without-nsp.521240/ .
  
  
• SX OS or any other CFW outside of Atmosphere/Kosmos is not officially supported.

Downloading RetroArch

For new users:

1. Grab the latest nightly here - simply download the RetroArch.7z with the most recent date. Unzip it.
2. Extract its contents and just drag and drop "retroarch" and the "switch" folder onto the root of the SD card.
3. Open Hbmenu, and start RetroArch.

For veteran users:

1. You can update your cores from the RetroArch Switch itself from Online Updater feature.
   Your mileage may vary.

Setting up XMB

Spoiler: Click 'Show' to read

If the menu icons are not loaded when you start RetroArch, you're missing the assets package. Navigate the menu and go to "Online Updater" and select "Download Assets". Otherwise, download the assets here and extract it to sd:/retroarch/assets. The next time you open RetroArch, all should be well.

The default directory for the XMB assets is sd:/retroarch/assets, you can change it to any other path you like under Settings > Directory.

Making lists

Spoiler: Click 'Show' to read

One of the toughest parts involved in getting the best RetroArch has to offer is setting up the "playlist" files (.lpl) which allow you to make put preset games into an easily-accessible place in the GUI, rather than having to go through the filebrowser and reload cores.

These files are stored in the "playlist" folder. Like most other paths, you can set your own in Retroarch under Settings > Directory.

You can generate your list using Online Updater, though this is prone to fail if you have a large number of games. The PC build of Retroarch can generate lists and the format is compatible with the Switch; or alternatively you can use RetroArch Playlist Buddy to generate your playlists and thumbnails.

Here's how to set up Playlist Buddy:
View attachment 96632

In this example playlists and thumbnails will be stored in /retroarch/cores
To make the process painless always prefer NO-INTRO rom sets as they have a standard naming convention. It helps the program match your roms with the images in Retroarch database.

It's recommended that your "roms" folder has this folder structure:

Making lists/thumbnails for MAME/FBA

Spoiler: Click 'Show' to read

The process is the same as the other cores BUT you need MAME 078.dat or FB Alpha.dat. The difference is that Arcade/SNK games CAN'T be renamed, so you'll get something like "ashpft" "chopflt"... etc as your game name in the list. To avoid that we use .dat files.

If you are using RetroArch Playlist Buddy just check the "Search XML DAT specified below for titles rather than ROM filenames" box, and type the path to your .dat in the text box.

What cores are supported?

The cores listed below are known to work well on Switch. There may be other experimental cores not listed here, but they are not recommended for most users.

Spoiler: Core list (long!)

Amstrad Cores
Amstrad - CPC (Caprice32)
Amstrad - CPC (CrocoDS)

Atari Cores
Atari - 2600 (Stella / Stella2014)
Atari - 7800 (ProSystem)
Atari - Lynx (Beetle Handy)
Atari - Jaguar (Virtual Jaguar)

Commodore Cores
Commodore C64/C128/VIC20/PET/PLUS4/ CBM-5x0/6x0/7x0 /SID (VICE)

Game Cores
2048 (2048)
Bomberman (MrBoom)
Cave Story (NXEngine)
Dinothawr
Doom (PrBoom)
Flashback (Reminiscence)
Game & Watch (GW)
OutRun (Cannonball)
Quake (TyrQuake)
Quake 2 (VitaQuake2)
Quake 3 (VitaQuake3)
Rick Dangerous (XRick)
Tomb Raider (OpenLara)

Multi System Cores
Arcade (MAME 2000)
Arcade (MAME 2003)
Arcade (MAME 2003 Plus)
Arcade (FBNeo)

Misc Cores
3DO Company - 3DO (4DO)
Amiga (P-UAE)
Bandai - WonderSwan/Color (Beetle WonderSwan [Cygne])
DOS (DOSBox SVN)
Game Music Library (GME)
GCE - Vectrex (vecx)
Magnavox - Odyssey2 / Phillips Videopac+ (O2EM)
Mattel - Intellivision (FreeINTV)
Microsoft - MSX (fMSX)
MP3 Karaoke Music Player (Pocket CDG)
Palm OS (Mu)
RPG Maker 2000/2003 (EasyRPG)
Sharp X68000 (PX68k)
ScummVM
Sinclair - ZX 81 (81/EightyOne)
SNK - Neo Geo Pocket / Color (Beetle Neo Geo Pocket [NGP])
Thomson - TO8D (Theodore)
Uzebox (Uzem)
ZX Spectrum (Fuse)

Nintendo Cores
Nintendo - Nintendo DS (DeSmuME)
Nintendo - Nintendo DS (MelonDS)
Nintendo - Game Boy / Color (Gambatte)
Nintendo - Game Boy / Color (GearBoy)
Nintendo - Game Boy / Color (TGB Dual)
Nintendo - Game Boy Advance (mGBA)
Nintendo - Game Boy Advance (VBA Next)
Nintendo - NES / Famicom (FCEUmm)
Nintendo - NES / Famicom (Nestopia UE)
Nintendo - NES / Famicom (QuickNES)
Nintendo - Nintendo 64 (Mupen64 Plus)
Nintendo - Nintendo 64 (Mupen64 Plus Next)
Nintendo - Pokemon Mini (PokeMini)
Nintendo - SNES / Famicom (Snes9x 2010)
Nintendo - SNES / Famicom (Snes9x)
Nintendo - Virtual Boy (Beetle VB)

NEC Cores
NEC - PC-98 (Neko Project II Kai)
NEC - PC Engine / CD (Beetle PCE FAST)
NEC - PC Engine SuperGrafx (Beetle SGX)

Sega Cores
Sega - Dreamcast (Flycast)
Sega - MS/GG (GearSystem)
Sega - MS/GG/MD/CD (Genesis Plus GX)
Sega - MS/GG/MD/32X (PicoDrive)
Sega - Saturn (Yabause)

Sony Cores
Sony - PlayStation (PCSX ReARMed)
Sony - PlayStation Portable (PPSSPP)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the RetroArch menu icons missing or glitched?

• Please read the "Setting up XMB" section above.

2. Why isn't core X supported? Can I run X?

Spoiler: Click 'Show' to read

First, check out the compatibility list above. If the core you want isn't in there, consider the actual console and the technical details. Consoles from the late 90s and beyond (N64, PSX, Saturn, Gamecube/Wii, etc.) are complex enough that the emulation code isn't fast enough on Switch to be playable. These cores are mostly written with the PC in mind, and when faced with an unusual platform like the Switch they fall back on slow methods of emulation, like interpreted CPUs. Getting acceptable framerates on the Switch requires extensive modification to the cores so that they can use faster emulation methods, such as dynarecs.

If your desired core is older (fourth gen and earlier, or an older home computer) feel free to ask about its status! More often than not, the core is more obscure and we just haven't gotten around to adding it.

3. What's the deal with the Nintendo 64?

Spoiler: Click 'Show' to read

Glad you asked! The N64 is one of the aforementioned difficult cores that are actively being worked on. There are a couple of bounties to update the main Mupen64 Plus core from RetroArch, and another to work on the recently released 64-bit ARM dynarec for Mupen64 Plus (and Parallel), which can now be tested out through the nightly downloads! A dynamic recompiler (dynarec) allows instructions to be translated ahead of time from the N64's native MIPS architecture to the native format of whatever platform is doing the emulation. This eliminates a lot of emulation overhead and makes for significantly faster emulation.

Do you want to help with the development of both the Mupen64 Plus core update and also the 64bit Mupen64 dynarec?
You can give your support to the current developer in charge of it!
@m4xw is the developer that is constantly updating everything Nintendo 64-related on the Switch release of RetroArch, so if you want to continue seeing great updates for this core, be sure to support him through his Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/m4xwdev

You can check the current and most up-to-date build in the Disclaimer section of this very post.
If you want to see full-speed N64 emulation on the Switch, why not throw in a few dollars to show your support?

4. How can I configure RetroArch to use each joycon as individual controllers for 2 players mode?

• Go into the Settings -> Input and enable Split joycon.
  You should also set a new Menu-open key combo

5. What are some recommended settings for optimal performance?

• Try enabling Audio and Video to switch_thread/thread, and also enable 1:1 PAR so that each core has their proper given aspect ratio. Also, don't forget to always launch from a game using title redirection.

​

Want additional information regarding RetroArch on the Switch?
Visit the official release page:
RetroArch 1.7.5 - Introducing libnx Switch version

@m4xw is the developer that is constantly updating everything RetroArch Switch, and also Nintendo 64-related, so if you want to continue seeing great updates for this project, be sure to support him through his Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/m4xwdev​

(OP is a work in progress, current maintainer is @ShadowOne333, @ me if something needs to be added or fixed!)​

im stuck and i cant find or boot up a sega cd game... also i do have the bios but it keeps crashing on me

 

[cdesign]

Is someone experiencing crashes whith mame or when changing roms (after closing first one) ?

 

[parabolee]

Can anyone help tell me why my Dreamcast games are loading as if they are the Japanese versions. While I know for a fact the GDI in question is the USA version and runs without any Japanese text on my PC emulator.

Thanks

EDIT: Nevermind. I set the language and region in the settings and restarted the game but it needed me to restart Retrorarch, then it worked.

 

[spotanjo3]

Can anyone help tell me why my Dreamcast games are loading as if they are the Japanese versions. While I know for a fact the GDI in question is the USA version and runs without any Japanese text on my PC emulator.

Thanks

EDIT: Nevermind. I set the language and region in the settings and restarted the game but it needed me to restart Retrorarch, then it worked.

How do you run gdi ? I am able to run cdi but not gdi files. The gdi usually hacw four files. Three tracks and one gdi. Confusion. Gdi file have one name and three files have track 1-3 with no title name.

 

[bad361]

How do you run gdi ? I am able to run cdi but not gdi files. The gdi usually hacw four files. Three tracks and one gdi. Confusion. Gdi file have one name and three files have track 1-3 with no title name.

...yeah, you JUST launch that one .gdi file inside your game folder with bins, it's that simple.. but who needs anything else when you can use .chd files

 

[mikifantastik98]

...yeah, you JUST launch that one .gdi file inside your game folder with bins, it's that simple.. but who needs anything else when you can use .chd files

1 ) put .gdi and all Tracks.bin & Tracks.raw ... in the same chdman folder

2 ) drag .gdi on Cue or GDI to CHD.bat

 

[spotanjo3]

...yeah, you JUST launch that one .gdi file inside your game folder with bins, it's that simple.. but who needs anything else when you can use .chd files

Does all files must have the same titles ? because mine showing is Sonic Adventure.gdi, track01.bin, track 02.bin, and track 03.bin.

 

[bad361]

Does all files must have the same titles ? because mine showing is Sonic Adventure.gdi, track01.bin, track 02.bin, and track 03.bin.

No, but they all have to be in the same folder, e.g. Sonic Adventure>Sonic Adventure.gdi, tack1.bin, track2.bin, etc... Here you just choose to launch .gdi. But yeah, the post above explains how to convert to .chd which is not necessary, but it saves space (in some situations A LOT of space) and it creates a single .chd file which is convenient.

 

[mikifantastik98]

Does all files must have the same titles ? because mine showing is Sonic Adventure.gdi, track01.bin, track 02.bin, and track 03.bin.

you NEVER have to rename this file ! never !
after convert ... you can rename the chd ... if you want.

 

[spotanjo3]

you NEVER have to rename this file ! never !
after convert ... you can rename the chd ... if you want.

I understand but I want to put two games: Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 but track files are the same. I cannot put all of them in one folder or it will ask for overwrite the track files for either 1 or 2.

 

[mikifantastik98]

I understand but I want to put two games: Sonic Adventure 1 and 2 but track files are the same. I cannot put all of them in one folder or it will ask for overwrite the track files for either 1 or 2.

if you don't want to convert gdi and save a lots of space.
create separate folders for each game.

why do you want to put all the files together in the same directory and not in a subfolder for each game ?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

a good and simple Cabinet overlay like this ??? ( .png without background wallpapers )

View attachment 184853

View attachment 184854

... nevermind .... found !

EDIT : DELETED!
( I don't want to be disrespectful ... but ... who originally created this overlay is not a professional graphic designer )

proof :





.... so ....



- i want remove dirty shadow
- redefine / smoot the border of the shadow
- fix all dirty graphic imperfections
... and reup.